Sentenced to Prison for Robbery by a Man in His 40s at a Convenience Store Early New Year's Day Over Just 20,000 Won

Stole Cigarettes, Ramen, and Soju and Fled
Incheon District Court Sentences to Three Years in Prison

A man in his 40s who entered a convenience store where a female owner was working alone early on New Year's Day with a weapon and stole about 20,000 won worth of goods was sentenced to prison.

On the 7th, the 16th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Yoon Yi-jin) sentenced A (43), who was indicted on charges of special robbery, to three years in prison, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency on the same day.

A was prosecuted for stealing goods worth 22,000 won from a convenience store in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, around 5 a.m. on January 1, the first day of the new year, and fleeing the scene. At the time, he placed goods worth 22,000 won on the counter, including two bottles of soju, one pack of cigarettes, one ramen, and one snack, then suddenly pulled out a weapon he had prepared in advance. He threatened B (51, female), the store owner who was working alone, by pointing the weapon at her and saying, "I have no money," and "If you just give me the goods, I will leave quickly."

During the trial, A claimed, "Although I held a weapon, I did not point it at B," but the court did not accept this. The court explained, "The CCTV footage taken inside the convenience store at the time of the crime shows the defendant pulling out the weapon within arm's reach," and "It can also be recognized that the tip of the weapon was directed at the victim." It was also reported that A had a prior record of eight prison sentences and was given a suspended indictment in 2023 on charges of attempted special intimidation.

The court pointed out, "The defendant deliberately targeted a female victim working alone at a convenience store during early morning hours, which is a serious offense," and "The victim is believed to have suffered considerable psychological shock and has not forgiven the defendant." However, regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "Considering that the amount of goods stolen was not large, that the defendant committed the crime in an economically difficult situation, and that he is showing remorse."